🔧 Accord - Power Steering Pump Replacement

You’ll remove the leaking/whining power steering pump, transfer the pulley if needed, then reinstall and bleed the hydraulic system. The key is keeping dirt out of the hoses and replacing the small sealing O-ring(s) so it doesn’t leak afterward.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool engine; the exhaust and belts can burn you.
• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Keep hands and tools away from the belt path while the engine is running.
• ⚠️ Power steering fluid damages paint; wipe spills immediately.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required, but disconnecting the negative cable prevents accidental cranking.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Drain pan (at least 2-gallon)
• Funnel
• Shop rags
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive extensions (3" and 6")
• 12mm combination wrench
• 14mm combination wrench
• Line wrench set (14mm)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Hose clamp pliers
• Torque wrench (10–80 ft-lbs range)
• Power steering pulley puller/installer kit (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Power steering pump - Qty: 1
• Power steering pressure line O-ring/seal kit - Qty: 1
• Honda-compatible power steering fluid - Qty: 2-3 quarts
• Serpentine belt - Qty: 1 (recommended if worn/cracked)
• Return hose clamp - Qty: 1 (only if original is weak/rusty)

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Point the front wheels straight ahead.
• Open the hood and locate the power steering reservoir and pump (belt-driven on the engine).
• If you choose to disconnect the battery, use a 10mm socket to remove the negative terminal and tuck it aside.
• Place a drain pan under the pump area to catch fluid.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Relieve belt tension and remove the serpentine belt from the pump

• Locate the belt tensioner.
• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet to rotate the tensioner and relieve belt tension.
• Slip the belt off the power steering pump pulley first, then slowly release the tensioner.
• Snap a quick photo of the belt routing.

Step 2: Drain as much power steering fluid as possible

• Remove the reservoir cap.
• Use a hose clamp pliers to slide the return-hose clamp back, then pull the return hose off the reservoir/pump return port (whichever is easiest to access).
• Direct the hose into the drain pan and let it drain.
• Plug/cover open hoses with a clean rag to keep dirt out.

Step 3: Disconnect the pressure line from the pump

• Place rags under the fitting to catch drips.
• Use a 14mm line wrench to loosen the high-pressure line fitting at the pump.
• Once loose, finish by hand and carefully pull the line away.
• Remove and replace the sealing O-ring with the new one from your pressure line O-ring/seal kit.
• A line wrench grips more sides than an open wrench.

Step 4: Unbolt and remove the power steering pump

• Remove any brackets or covers blocking access using a 10mm socket or 12mm socket (varies by bracket).
• Remove the pump mounting fasteners using a 12mm socket and ratchet.
• Lift the pump out of the engine bay, keeping it upright to reduce spills.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs) for the pump mounting bolts during reassembly.

Step 5: Transfer the pulley (only if your new pump does not include one)

• Use a power steering pulley puller/installer kit (specialty) to remove the pulley from the old pump.
• Install the pulley onto the new pump with the same pulley installer.
• Press it to the same depth as the original alignment.
• Incorrect pulley depth can throw the belt off.

Step 6: Install the new pump

• Set the pump in place and start the mounting bolts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten with a 12mm socket and ratchet.
• Torque to 25 Nm (18 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reconnect the pressure line and return line

• Thread the pressure line fitting in by hand first.
• Tighten using a 14mm line wrench.
• Torque to 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs) for the pressure line fitting.
• Reconnect the return hose and reposition the clamp using hose clamp pliers.

Step 8: Reinstall the serpentine belt

• Route the belt per your photo/under-hood diagram.
• Use a 14mm socket to rotate the tensioner, slip the belt onto the pump pulley, then release the tensioner slowly.
• Visually confirm the belt is centered on every pulley.

Step 9: Bleed the power steering system (remove air)

• Fill the reservoir with Honda-compatible power steering fluid using a funnel to the MAX line.
• With the engine OFF, raise the front of the car (both front wheels off the ground) using a floor jack and support with jack stands.
• Slowly turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock about 10–15 times.
• Top off fluid as the level drops. Do not let it run dry.
• Start the engine and let it idle.
• Slowly turn lock-to-lock 5–10 more times, watching for foam/bubbles.
• Shut the engine off and recheck fluid level; fill to the correct mark.
• Foamy fluid means air is still inside.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and confirm the steering is smooth and quiet at idle.
• Check for leaks at the pressure fitting and return hose with a flashlight.
• Road test at low speed in a safe area, then recheck fluid level again.
• If the pump whines after bleeding, shut off and repeat the bleed process.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$900 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $120-$350 (parts only)

You Save: $330-$550 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-3 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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